Howard County Briefs

From 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Oakland Mills Police Satellite Office, 5820 Stevens Forest Road in Columbia, the Maryland/DC Anti-Car Theft Committee and Howard County police will sponsor a free program for residents to have their vehicle's identification number etched on all major pieces of glass. According to the police, this is a highly effective deterrent and assists in returning a stolen vehicle to its rightful owner. In addition, owners can register for the theft prevention program, "Watch Your Car," and get a free club. Information: 410-313-4759.

Workshops

•"New Age: Challenges for Parents of Adolescents" will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia. Free, but registration is required. To register and for more information, call 410-313-1940 or e mail children@howardcountymd.gov.

•The Domestic Violence Center of Howard County hosts "The Things You Learn When It's Finally Over: Surviving an Unhealthy Relationship" from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at 5457 Twin Knolls Road in Columbia. To register and more information, call Vanita Leatherwood at 410-997-0304 by Thursday, Oct. 27.

Clothing drive

The Columbia Teen Center's Teen Outreach Committee is sponsoring its annual clothing drive to collect items for individuals and families in need. Donations may be dropped off at the center, 5853 Robert Oliver Place, through Nov. 30. For more information, call 410-992-3726 or e-mail Rene.Buckmon@ColumbiaAssociation.com.

Benefit concert

Choirs from five United Methodist churches — Bethany, Glenelg, Glen Mar, Linden-Linthicum, and Mount Zion — will perform a concert at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at Glenelg United Methodist Church, 13900 Burntwoods Road. A free will offering will be taken. Event benefits the American Cancer Society. Information: 410-531-2324.

'Considering Divorce'

This free seminar, taking place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road in Columbia, provides an overview of the Maryland family law system and areas for those thinking about divorce. Information: 410-461-4200.

50+EXPO

This annual event, geared toward adults 50 and older, younger adults with disabilities, their caregivers and family members, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road in Columbia.

Presented by the Department of Citizen Services' Office on Aging, the expo features more than 140 exhibitors, workshops, a living green fair, food, all day entertainment and free shuttle service from The Mall in Columbia. In addition, there will be healthy aging seminars, career and life skills workshops, and flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Flu vaccinations are for adults 50 and older, and adults younger than 50 with underlying chronic medical conditions. Flu vaccines (injection or mist) are free, but there is a $55 charge per pneumonia injection, except for recipients with a Medicare Part B card, who do not have to pay.

Free shuttle buses will run continuously between the expo and Columbia Mall (near Sears' lower parking lot) throughout the day, with the first bus departing the mall at 8:45 a.m. and the last leaving at 4:30 p.m. Transportation is also available by advance request by calling 410-313-1921 by Friday, Oct. 14.

Information: 410-313-6410 or go to howardcountyaging.org/50plusexpo.

Self-defense for women

Ju-Jitsu Dojo of Columbia will hold a three-week women's self-defense series on Saturdays, beginning Oct. 22 and continuing through Nov. 5, at 9147B Red Branch Road in Columbia. Attendees will learn simple, effective techniques for self-protection against unarmed and armed attackers. Cost is $20 per person per session. To register and more information, call 410-309-1988 or go to combatju-jitsu.com.

Scholarships available

The Howard County Arts Council's 2012 Arts Scholarship Application is available to high school seniors planning to pursue an arts degree. This year, the arts council will award a minimum of $10,000 to students entering college in the 2012-2013 academic year.

Scholarships must be used for enrollment in an accredited college program for a degree in the arts. Awards will be made in the minimum amount of $1,000 and may be used only for tuition and fees.

Applications will be reviewed by the council's scholarship panel and criteria will include artistic merit, demonstrated knowledge of an artistic discipline, commitment to a career in the arts, and academic success. Applicants must be county residents and will be notified of the committee's decision in March. Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered by Dec.15.

For applications and more information, call 410-313-2787, hocoarts.org or e mail info@hocoarts.org.

Sports ceremony

The Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks will host the ninth annual Celebration of Sports Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Road in Ellicott City. Event celebrates individuals who have made a difference and have a vested interest in community sports in Howard County.

The speaker will be Rayna DuBose, an Oakland Mills High School graduate who was awarded a full athletic scholarship to play basketball at Virginia Tech. After she was stricken with meningococcal meningitis, she went on to serve as the team's student assistant coach and is a recent graduate. The ceremony will also include the induction of members into the "Community Sports Hall of Fame" and the honoring of GoodSports award recipients.

Tickets are $38, $350 for a table of 10. Information: 410-313-7275.

Support groups

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Howard County offers several support groups each month. Sessions include groups for family and friends of adults with a mental illness, groups for parents of school-age children with mental health issues, a group for young adults (18-30) living with a mental illness and a weekly group for adults of any age living with a mental illness. For times and locations, call 410-772-9300 or go to nami.org/sites/namihowardcounty.

Columbia Association

The organization seeks residents to serve a two-year term on the Senior Advisory Committee. The goal of this committee is to advise the association on the needs, interests and concerns of Columbia's senior residents.

Nominees must have demonstrated interest in the senior population, be at least 55 years old and be knowledgeable of senior programs and services in the county.

A-OK (Assist Our Kids) Mentoring-Tutoring Inc. seeks adult volunteers to work in Howard County public schools and in after-school programs. Volunteers may work with individual students and/or small groups during and after school. Volunteers are asked to commit for one hour a week for a minimum of one school year. Among the schools the organization is associated with are Atholton, Bryant Woods, Cradlerock, Longfellow, Phelps Luck, Running Brook and Stevens Forest elementary schools, along with several new partner schools in North Laurel. Information: 410-730-6030 or 410-740-3850.

Teen advisory committees

The Columbia Association is recruiting youths age 11-19 to become members of its Middle School and Teen Advisory Committees. The association is looking for teens who want to make a difference and get involved in their community. As members of the committee, teens can create and implement events and programs for their peers. Past activities have included the Teen Idol Competition, Teen Role Model Competition, Battle of the Dance, charity fundraisers, Teen Tuesdays concerts at the lakefront, a free college fair and Save the Planet Day. Information: 410-715-5523.

Gardening volunteers

The Howard County Conservancy seeks Wednesday morning drop-in gardening volunteers to help maintain thematic and native plant gardens on the property. All levels of experience are welcome. Call Chris Garbart at 410-465-8877 or email him at chris.garbart@hcconservancy.org.

Guided hikes

The Howard County Conservancy offers free guided hikes and talks on the second Saturday of the month. Visitors can enjoy an easy walk in the meadows and woods and along stream banks of the conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Information: 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.

Theater rental

The Howard County Arts Council has announced the availability of the Black Box Theatre for rental. The 98-seat multipurpose performance space is equipped with professional sound and lighting equipment, nearby dressing rooms, padded seats, black stage curtains and a sprung dance floor. A performance grand piano is also available for rental through a separate agreement with the Howard County Music Teachers Association. All renters of the theater are required to carry a commercial liability insurance policy of $1 million. Other requirements and rental request forms and rates can be found at hocoarts.org. Rental request forms should be mailed to Room Rentals at the Howard County Arts Council, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, 21043.

Renovation project

The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks has received a $30,000 grant from the National Recreational Trails Program Fund. The grant will be used for the renovation of the Village of Owen Brown's pedestrian pathway system.

The project, scheduled to begin this month, will allow the restoration of the deteriorating East Columbia pathway with a new overlay of asphalt. Howard County will provide $30,000 in matching funds, along with any remaining funds needed. Renovations will consist of repaving the 3,909-foot pathway that serves the Owen Brown Community Center, Owen Brown Interfaith Center, Owen Brown Village Shopping Center, Cradlerock School, the Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, and the Southwick and Elkhorn housing communities. Anticipated completion date is the summer of 2012. Information: 410-313-2022.

Yard waste collection

Howard County's Bureau of Environmental Services will resume weekly yard waste collections through Jan. 20. Yard waste will be picked up weekly during regular recycling days and should be placed outside by 6 a.m. Allowable yard waste items include grass, leaves, hedge clippings/light brush, small limbs or branches less than 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length, dry seed pods, straw, hay and bamboo. Residents are encouraged to use paper bags or reusable containers.

To obtain a free paper yard waste bag (limit two bags per family), go to the Bureau of Environmental Services at 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 514 in Columbia, or the Alpha Ridge Landfill at 2350 Marriottsville Road in Marriottsville. For a complete list of what yard waste is and is not accepted, or for more information, go to howardcountymd.gov/dpw/recycling.htm.

Kindred Spirits

Kindred Spirits, a social club for people diagnosed with early memory loss or dementia, will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays in the 50+ Center at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center at Glenwood. Highlights include speakers, discussion of current events, yoga, meditation and art therapy. Daily fee of $26 includes snacks, lunch, coffee and tea.

Information: Judy Miller at 410-313-5441 or jumiller@howardcountymd.gov. The program is sponsored by the Howard County Office on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Maryland.

Recycling cans

Habitat for Humanity and the Boy Scouts of America have placed a collection bin for aluminum cans at the entrance to the parking lot of Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, 6410 Amherst Ave., in Allview Estates. Information: 410-997-4949.

Recycle old TVs

The Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services reminds residents to recycle electronic devices rather than throw them away. Dropoff locations include the Alpha Ridge Landfill Resident's Convenience Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road. The facility is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and accepts TVs, computers, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, VCRs, radios and other electronics. Also, Best Buy's Customer Take-Back Program allows customers to bring in old TVs (32 inches or smaller) at no charge. Offer limited to two televisions per person per day. Console televisions are not accepted.

Services directory

The Southeast Howard County Health Services Directory, a guide to resources near North Laurel and Savage, is available free at the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center, 9900 Washington Blvd. The directory includes listings of clinics, pharmacies, hospitals, general and family practices, dentists, obstetricians and gynecologists, transportation and crisis contacts. The guide also indicates whether Spanish and Korean are spoken at the facility, as well as the address, contact information and hours of operation. Hours and information: 410-880-5917.

Theater workers needed

Red Branch Theatre Company is accepting resumes for costume designers, lighting designers and stage managers for the remaining shows this season. Send applications to Jennifer Spieler at jspieler1025@aol.com.

Panel seeks members

The Secondary Language Arts Advisory Committee seeks new members. The committee consists of teachers, administrators, students, parents and other community members who advise, support and advocate for the improvement of educational programs. Meetings will take place four times during the school year at a central location. Information: 410-313-6620.

Call for artists

The Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, formerly Slayton House Gallery, is accepting applications to exhibit for the coming season. Applications are available by emailing cjblack@columbiavillages.org. Information: 410-730-3987.

Spanish speakers wanted

The Foreign Born Information and Referral Network, 5999 Harpers Farm Road, Suite 200-E, Columbia, needs Spanish-speaking volunteers to greet clients, answer basic questions, make appointments and support the staff. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday; other times may be considered. Information: 410-992-1923, ext. 14.